Mobile Crushing Station

ABSTRACT

A mobile crushing station for receiving and comminuting excavated material from earth moving vehicles provides at least one moveable skip connected to a chassis or frame for receiving material from vehicles, such as rear unloading vehicles like dump trucks. The skips are configured to move to dump material fed into the skips into a feed hopper. The feed hopper is positioned to guide material onto a feed conveyor, such as an inclined apron conveyor. The feed conveyor is configured to transport material to a feed orifice of a crushing device, such as a sizer, a crusher, or a crushing circuit. The crushing device is configured to crush material fed into the crushing device. The crushing device also has a discharge orifice that is positioned above a portion of a discharge conveyor. The mobile crushing station is moveable so it may be repositioned closer to an excavation site as excavation activities progress.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the United States national stage under 35 U.S.C.§371 of International Application No. PCT/US2009/005151, filed on Sep.16, 2009, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/192,279, which was filed on Sep. 17, 2008. The entirety of theseapplications are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to solid material comminution and disintegration,and more particularly to a mobile crushing station for receiving,comminuting and transporting excavated material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In mining minerals, ores, or other material it is often necessary toprocess the excavated material into more uniform size pieces fortransport on conveyors and the like. Because material processingincreases the cost of the operations it is imperative that materialcomminution and transport be as efficient as possible.

In open cut iron ore mines, coal mines, and mineral beneficiating mineshuge volumes of material are excavated from a mine face and thereaftertransported to a distal storage site, shipping site, or processing site.

Various apparatus and methods for comminuting and transporting excavatedmaterials are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,593,353,3,510,073, 3,752,334, 4,059,195, 4,383,651, 4,491,279, 4,669,674,4,712,744, 4,721,201, 4,881,691, 5,580,004, 5,797,548, 5,803,376,5,911,373, 7,278,596 disclose examples of such apparatuses. Suchapparatus and typically include a rock crusher, communicating withconveyor systems for crushing and thereafter transporting the materialto a location distal from the excavation and crushing site.

Material may be excavated from a mine face using machines such as draglines, front-end loaders and mechanical shovels. Blasting withexplosives may precede excavation. When the distance between the mineface and rock crusher is not overly large, the excavated material may bedeposited directly into the rock crusher by the excavating machines.However, as the mine face advances due to continuous excavation andmaterial removal, the distance the excavated material must betransported to the rock crusher increases which necessitates that theexcavating machines traverse back and forth between the mine face andthe rock crusher. Alternatively, transport vehicles such as dump trucksare employed to traverse the distance between the excavating machines atthe mine face and the rock crusher. Unfortunately, as the distanceincreases efficiency decreases. To address this problem, additionaltransport vehicles may be employed or the rock crusher may be shut down,disassembled and moved to a position closer to the mine face and thenreassembled to decrease transportation distances.

Rock crushers, also called crushing stations, crushing circuits, orsizers, generally comprise a vertical tower structure positionedimmediately adjacent a reinforced vertical wall supporting a massiveearthen ramp on the side opposite the tower structure. Earth movingvehicles, such as dump trucks loaded with excavated material, travel upthe earthen ramp and back-up to a feed orifice at an upper end portionof the tower structure. The material is dumped into the crushingstation's feed orifice and thereafter passes through a top size controlaperture, also known as a grizzly, and into a rock crushing mechanismwhich comminutes the material into desirable sized pieces. The crushedmaterial exits the crushing station through a lower discharge orificespacedly below the feed orifice onto a conveyor for transfer to anothersite.

Relocation of a crushing station is an enormous and expensiveundertaking requiring that a new reinforced vertical retaining wall andearthen ramp be built, at least partial disassembly of the towerstructure, the loading of the tower structure and associated componentson vehicles, the transport of the tower structure and components to thenew location and reassembly. Auxiliary equipment, apparatus andfacilities such as electrical generation stations, fuel tanks, accessroads (entry and exit) and the like must also be relocated and perhapsconstructed. During the relocation process the entire crushing stationmust be shut down, effectively stopping production of the entire mineand further decreasing efficiency.

Crushing stations, by their very nature are subject to significantamounts of “wear and tear” during normal operating conditions andrequire regular maintenance. Shutting down a crushing station so that itmay be moved materially adds to the amount of unavoidable down timecaused by foreseeable repair and maintenance. Such additional “downtime” further increases costs and inefficiency and may make a projecteconomically not viable.

There is a need for a system that can increase the efficiency ofmaterial comminution and transport for material excavation withoutincurring substantial costs of additional transport equipment such asadditional dump trucks, or significant construction needs such asretaining wall and earthen ramp construction. Preferably, the system isconfigured to substantially reduce, if not eliminate, downtime caused byshutting down, disassembling, moving and reassembling a crushing stationand its associated components, apparatus and facilities used in thecomminution and transport of excavated material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of our invention can resolve several of the aforementionedproblems with known crushing stations and known comminuting andtransporting apparatus and methods. For example, embodiments of ourmobile crushing station can provide a self-propelled, mobile crushingstation having an integral rock crusher and discharge conveyor that ismovable under its own power and may receive and comminute excavatedmaterial from multiple dump trucks at the same time. Embodiments of ourmobile crushing station also do not need to be disassembled to berepositioned, and is structurally configured to distribute its mass andthe mass of dump trucks and the material carried therein over a largearea.

Embodiments of our mobile crushing station can also be configured tohave minimal elevation above grade and may eliminate the need forconstructing massive reinforced retaining walls and earthen ramps topermit mining and excavation operations to be performed more efficientlyand more effectively. Instead, material can be displaced for arelatively shallow trench in which embodiments of our mobile crushingstation may be positioned during operation. Such relatively shallowtrenches can be configured to create low rise ramps so that dump trucksor other vehicles can easily access the skips of the mobile crushingstation. In other embodiments, the mobile crushing station is sized andconfigured for operation without needing to be positioned in any trench.For instance, an embodiment of the mobile crushing station may bepositioned on the ground. Embodiments of our mobile crushing station mayalso be quickly and inexpensively repositioned proximate to anexcavation site at lower cost and without significant down time relativeto prior art crushing stations.

One embodiment of our mobile crushing station is configured forreceiving and comminuting excavated material from two earth movingvehicles, in particular dump trucks. The station can provide two spacedapart pivoting truck skips having hinged floors interconnected with achassis having an elongate medial apron plate feeder and an operatorpositionable diverter gate for regulating feed rate and throughputs. Theapron plate feeder communicates with a feed orifice of a sizer havingtwo parallel oppositely rotatable rock crushing drums. A sizer dischargeorifice is spacedly above one end portion of a discharge conveyor suchthat material crushed in the sizer is fed onto the discharge conveyor. Apowered steerable car body type dual crawler track assembly can beinterconnected to the chassis of the station proximate to each truckskip. A fixed powered crawler track assembly may also be isinterconnected to the chassis proximate below the sizer.

One embodiment of the mobile crushing station can include a frame, afirst skip, a second skip, a first skip lifting assembly, a second skiplifting assembly, a plurality of first cylinders, a plurality of secondcylinders, a hopper, a feed conveyor, a crushing device and a dischargeconveyor. The first and second skips are each sized and configured toreceive material. The first skip lifting assembly is connected to theframe and connected to the first skip. The first skip lifting assemblyis configured to move relative to the frame and to move the first skipfrom a first position to a second position. The second skip liftingassembly is connected to the frame and connected to the second skip. Thesecond skip lifting assembly is configured to move relative to the frameand to move the second skip from a first position to a second position.

The first cylinders are moveably connected to the frame and are alsoconnected to the first skip lifting assembly. Each first cylinder isconfigured to move from a retracted position to an extended position sothat movement of the first cylinders to the extended position moves thefirst skip lifting assembly such that the first skip moves to the secondposition. The second cylinders are moveably connected to the frame andare also connected to the second skip lifting assembly. Each secondcylinder is configured to move from a retracted position to an extendedposition such that movement of the second cylinders to the extendedposition moves the second skip lifting assembly so that the second skipmoves to the second position.

The hopper is connected to the frame adjacent to the first skip and thesecond skip. The hopper has an upper opening sized and configured toreceive material from at least one of the first skip and the secondskip. The feed conveyor is connected to the frame adjacent to the hopperand is sized and configured to receive material from the hopper. Thefeed conveyor is moveable in a first direction to transport material inthe first direction.

The crushing device is connected to the frame adjacent to the feedconveyor. The crushing device has a housing. The housing of the crushingdevice includes one or more feed openings and one or more dischargeopenings. The crushing device also has one or more crushing mechanismsattached to the housing between the one or more feed openings and one ormore discharge openings such that material passing through the one ormore feed openings is crushed before the material passes through the oneor more discharge openings.

The discharge conveyor is connected to the frame adjacent to thecrushing device. A portion of the discharge conveyor is positioned belowthe crushing device to receive material from the at least one or moredischarge openings of the crushing device.

Embodiments of the mobile crushing station may include a plurality ofjacks connected to the frame. The jacks may be moveable from a retractedposition to an extended position. Movement of the jacks to the extendedposition may be configured to lift the mobile crushing station to permita transport vehicle to lift, push, or pull the mobile crushing station.

Some embodiments of the mobile crushing station may include a pluralityof tracks or crawlers connected to the frame. The tracks or crawlers maybe pivotally coupled to the frame to permit the tracks or crawlers topivot relative to the frame.

Preferably, embodiments of the mobile crushing station include anoperator station connected to the frame such that the operator stationis positioned above the first skip and the second skip when the firstand second skips are in the first position. Such a position of theoperator station permits operators that may be located in the station tooversee activities occurring during material loading and dumpingoperations. The position of the operation station may also permit anoperator to oversee or monitor other operations or activities takingplace during operation of the mobile crushing station.

Preferably, the first skip and the second skip each have a first sideand a second side opposite the first side. The first skip liftingassembly can include a first member and a second member in embodimentsof the mobile crushing station. The first member has a first end pivotedto the frame and a second end that is attached to a portion of the firstskip adjacent to the first side of the first skip. The second member ofthe first skip lifting assembly has a first end pivoted to the frame anda second end that is attached to a portion of the first skip adjacent tothe second side of the first skip. The second skip lifting assembly canalso include a first member and a second member in embodiments of themobile crushing station. The first member has a first end pivoted to theframe and a second end that is attached to a portion of the second skipadjacent to the first side of the second skip. The second member of thesecond skip lifting assembly has a first end pivoted to the frame and asecond end that is attached to a portion of the first skip adjacent tothe second side of the first skip.

Embodiments of the mobile crushing station can include one or morecontrollers configured to monitor or control certain activities orfunctions of the mobile crushing station. The one or more controllersmay include a processing unit or processors coupled to memory. Thememory may have software that is run by the processors or processorunit. The one or more controllers may be coupled to one or more inputdevices, such as buttons, switches, levers, key pads or keyboards.Preferably, at least some of the input devices are located in anoperator station of the mobile crushing station. The one or morecontrollers may also be connected to one or more communication devices,such as display devices, such as monitors or screens, or audio outputdevices, such as speakers or loudspeakers.

Some embodiments of the mobile crushing station include one or morecontrollers coupled to at least one input device and at least one of thefirst cylinders and second cylinders. The one or more controllers areconfigured to actuate movement of at least one of the first cylindersand second cylinders after receiving lifting input from the inputdevice. The input device may be, for example a computer mouse, a switch,a lever, a button, a keypad or a keyboard. The lifting input may beprovided by a user entering a code via a keypad or keyboard. The liftinginput may alternatively be input provided by a user pressing a button ormoving a lever or switch.

Embodiments of the mobile crushing station may include an inclinometerconnected to the frame and one or more controllers connected to theinclinometers. One or more communication devices may also be included.The one or more communication devices may be coupled to the one or morecontrollers. The one or more controllers may be configured to determinewhether the frame is undergoing a predefined amount of racking and, ifthe at least one controller determines that the frame is experiencing atleast the predefined amount of racking, the one or more controllers isconfigured to output an alert to the one or more communication devicesto notify an operator. The alert may be a message that is signaled tothe display device for displaying to a user. The alert may also, oralternatively, be an audio signal transmitted to a speaker.

Embodiments of the mobile crushing station may include one or moresensors positioned adjacent to the one or more feed openings of thecrushing device and one or more controllers coupled to the one or moresensors and the feed conveyor. The one or more sensors are configured tomeasure a feed rate of material passing through the at least one feedopening. The at least one controller is configured to determine when thefeed rate of material is equal to or under a first predefined feed rateamount and is configured to increase the feed conveyor speed in thefirst direction when the feed rate is determined to be below or equal tothe first predefined feed rate amount. The controller may also beconfigured to determine whether the feed rate of material is over orequal to a second predefined feed rate amount. When the one or morecontrollers determine that the feed rate is equal to or over the secondpredefined feed rate amount, the one or more controllers can beconfigured to decrease feed conveyor speed in the first direction. Itshould be appreciated that the second predefined feed rate amount may benumerically different than the first predefined feed rate or may be thesame value. The one or more controllers may also be configured todetermine when a choking condition exists based on measurements receivedfrom the one or more sensors. The one or more controllers can beconfigured to cause the feed conveyor to move in a second direction thatis opposite the first direction for a predefined period of time when thepredefined choking condition is determined to exist.

Embodiments of the mobile crushing station may include a moveable gate.The moveable gate can be connected to the frame or the hopper. Forinstance, the moveable gate may be a tiltable diverter gate. As anotherexample, the moveable gate may be a vibrating or vibratable screenpositioned within or adjacent to an opening of the hopper.

Each skip may include a floor and a plurality of sidewalls adjacent tothe floor in embodiments of the mobile crushing station. The sidewalland a portion of the floor of each skip may define a material receivingportion of that skip that is sized and configured to receive materialand retain material until that skip is moved to the second position.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the mobile crushing stationmay be mobile in different ways. For instance, the mobile crushingstation may be sized and configured to permit a transport vehicle tolift and move the mobile crushing station. As another example, themobile crushing station may be sized and configured to permit a vehicleto push or pull the mobile crushing station from a first location to asecond location. As yet another example, the mobile crushing station mayhave tracks, wheels, crawlers or other movement mechanisms connected tothe frame that permit the mobile crushing station to be driven todifferent locations.

Some embodiments of the mobile crushing station may only include one ormore moveable skips. Those embodiments may include a frame, a skip, askip lifting assembly, lifting mechanisms, a hopper, a feed conveyor, acrushing device and a discharge conveyor. The skip lifting assembly maybe moveably connected to the frame and also attached to the skip. Thelifting mechanisms may be moveably connected to the frame and attachedto the skip lifting assembly. Each lifting mechanism is moveable from afirst position to a second position to move the skip lifting assemblyand lift the skips. The feed conveyor can be connected to the frameadjacent to the hopper. The crushing device may be connected to theframe adjacent to the feed conveyor. The feed conveyor is configured tomove material to the crushing device. The discharge conveyor may beconnected to the frame adjacent to the crushing device. The crushingdevice may include a housing that has one or more feed openings, one ormore discharge openings and one or more crushing mechanisms between theone or more feed openings and one or more discharge openings. Thedischarge conveyor is configured to receive material from the one ormore discharge openings.

Embodiments of the mobile crushing station may include at least onesensor connected to the at least one crushing mechanism and at least onecontroller coupled to the at least one sensor and to the feed conveyor.The one or more controllers are configured to determine when apredefined slow crushing condition exists. If the one or morecontrollers determine that a predefined slow crushing condition exists,the at least one controller is configured to reduce feed conveyor speedin the first direction. By reducing the feed conveyor speed, choking maybe reduced or eliminated as a result of the detected slower crushingcondition. For example, amperage filters or other sensors may beconnected to crusher motors or other crushing mechanism components andto a controller. The controller may be configured to receivemeasurements from the amperage filters or other sensors to detectoverloading of the crushing mechanism and automatically slow the apronplate feeder to prevent overloading and providing uninterrupted maximumthroughput.

Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description of certain present preferredembodiments thereof and certain present preferred methods of practicingthe same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Present preferred embodiments of mobile crushing stations and methods ofmaking and using such apparatuses are shown in the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric front, side and top view of a first presentpreferred embodiment of the mobile crushing station showing the righttruck skip and outboard stability jacks in a raised position.

FIG. 2 is an orthographic front, rearward looking view, of the firstpresent preferred embodiment of the mobile crushing station showing theright truck skip and outboard stability jacks in a raised position andthe two car-body type dual crawler track assemblies skewed formaneuvering.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic back, forward-looking view, of the firstpresent preferred embodiment of the mobile crushing station similar tothat of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first present preferred embodiment of themobile crushing station.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic bottom view of the first present preferredembodiment of the mobile crushing station showing the two car body typedual crawler track assemblies skewed in one direction for maneuvering.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic back, forward-looking view of the firstpresent preferred embodiment of the mobile crushing station operablypositioned in a trench showing a dump truck, in phantom outline, backedinto one pivoting truck skip.

FIG. 7 is a partial cut away view of one pivoting truck skip of thefirst present preferred embodiment in a lowered position showing thewheel stop angulation between the vehicle floor and the hinged floor.

FIG. 8 is a partial cut away view, similar to that of FIG. 7, showingthe pivoting truck skip in an elevated position and showing the hingedfloor and vehicle floor in a more linear alignment.

FIG. 9 is a reduced in size orthographic front, rearward looking view ofthe first present preferred embodiment of the mobile crushing stationmaneuvering in a trench with the stability jacks and pivoting truckskips pivoted upwardly.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged back, forward looking view of the diverter gateof the first present preferred embodiment pivoted to the second sidewhich would be visible in FIG. 6 with the vertically extending rearwardwall removed.

FIG. 11 is a partial cut away orthographic cross-section view of thefirst present preferred embodiment of the mobile crushing station takenon line 11-11 of FIG. 1, less the crawler assemblies and less thepivoting truck skips, showing the arrangement of the communicatingcomponents.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a second present preferred embodiment of amobile crushing station.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the second present preferred embodiment of themobile crushing station.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the second present preferred embodimentof the mobile crushing station.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the second present preferred embodimentof the mobile crushing station with one of the skips positioned fordumping material into the hopper and onto the inclined feed conveyor.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the second present preferred embodiment of themobile crushing station with one of the skips positioned for dumpingmaterial into the hopper and onto the inclined feed conveyor.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the second present preferred embodiment of themobile crushing station with the jacks in an extended position, whichcan help facilitate a repositioning of the mobile crushing station.

FIG. 18 is flow chart of a first present preferred method of controllingfeed rate to the crusher device of a mobile crushing station.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a first present preferred method ofcontrolling feed conveyor bed depth of a mobile crushing station.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a first present preferred method ofmonitoring frame racking of a mobile crushing station.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of a first present preferred method ofdetermining when to slow the feed rate of material to the crushingdevice.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a first present preferred method ofdetermining whether a choking condition exists and adjusting themovement of the feed conveyor in response to detecting a chokingcondition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein in reference to a discussion of the present preferredembodiment of the mobile crushing station 19 shown in FIGS. 1-11, theterm “front”, its derivatives, and grammatical equivalents refers to theportion of a mobile crushing station 19 that is proximate to dischargeconveyor 140. The term “back”, its derivatives, and grammaticalequivalents refers to the portion of the mobile crushing station 19 thatis distal from the discharge conveyor 140. The term “outer”, itsderivatives, and grammatical equivalents refers to a side portion of themobile crushing station 19 as opposed to a laterally medial portion.

The term “dump truck” 160 is given its common definition and, withoutlimitation, may generally be defined as a self-propelled wheeled vehiclehaving a load carrying bed that pivots, about a horizontal axisproximate one end portion, which responsively raises the opposing endportion to dump material from the load carrying bed under the force ofgravity.

The term “cycle time” is defined as the length of time required for adump truck 160 to be filled with excavated material, generally by anexcavator proximate a mine face, to travel to a crushing station, dumpthe loaded material into the crushing station, and return to thelocation proximate the mine face to be loaded with more excavatedmaterial.

The mobile crushing station 19 generally provides a chassis 20 carryingan apron plate feeder 55, a sizer 61, a first pivoting truck skip 80, asecond pivoting truck skip 110 and a discharge conveyor 140.

The chassis 20 is a generally rectilinear structure having a front framemember 23 at a forward end portion 20 a, a spaced apart parallel rearframe member 24 at a rearward end portion 20 b, a first side member 21at a first elongate side portion 20 c and a second spaced apart parallelside member 22 at a second elongate side portion 20 d. The front andrear frame members 23, 24 are structurally interconnected to the firstand second side members 25, 26 respectively at adjacent end portions.

First outrigger assembly 25 extends laterally outwardly from the firstside member 21 and a mirror image opposing second outrigger assembly 35extends laterally outwardly from second side member 22.

The first outrigger assembly 25 has a forward outrigger arm 26 and aspaced apart parallel rearward outrigger arm 27 that extendperpendicularly from the first side member 21. The rearward outriggerarm 27 is spacedly adjacent the rear frame member 24, while the forwardoutrigger arm 26 is at a generally medial position on first side member21. Outrigger 28 is structurally connected to and extends between theforward outrigger arm 26 and the rearward outrigger arm 27 spaced apartoutwardly from the first side member 21. Similarly, second outriggerassembly 35 has a forward outrigger arm 36 and a spaced apart parallelrearward outrigger arm 37 that extend perpendicularly from the secondside member 22. The rearward outrigger arm 37 is spacedly adjacent therear frame member 24, while the forward outrigger arm 36 is at agenerally medial position on the second side member 22. Outrigger 38 isstructurally connected to and extends between the forward outrigger aim36 and the rearward outrigger arm 37 spaced apart outwardly from thesecond side member 22.

Four spacedly arrayed crawler track assemblies 47, 48, 51, 52 supportthe mobile crushing station 19 and provide for mobility andmaneuverability for repositioning.

As shown in FIG. 5, first fixed crawler 47 is carried spacedly adjacentthe first side member 21 and a second fixed crawler 48 is carriedspacedly adjacent the second side member 22 both proximate the frontframe member 23 by fixed crawler mounting assembly 50. The first andsecond fixed crawlers 47, 48 each carry an endless track comprised ofplural interconnected links that moves circuitously thereabout on aplurality of known rollers, sprockets and the like. Known motors, gears,rollers, sprockets and the like (not shown) power the endless trackscarried by the first and a second fixed crawlers 47, 48.

One car body type dual crawler track assembly 51, 52 is pivotallymounted to the outrigger 28 of the first outrigger assembly 25 and alsoto the outrigger 38 of the second outrigger assembly 35 at a generallymedial position between the forward outrigger arms 26, 36 and therearward outrigger arms 27, 37 respectively. The car body type dualcrawler track assemblies 51, 52 are of known construction each having apair of spaced apart parallel endless crawler track laying assemblieseach carrying an endless track of interconnected links extendingcircumferentially thereabout. Known motors, gears, sprockets, rollersand the like (not shown) power the endless tracks on the track layingassemblies. Each car body type dual crawler track assembly 51, 52 ispivotal relative to the supporting outrigger 28, 38 about a kingpinassembly (not shown). Pivoting of the car body type dual crawler trackassemblies 51, 52 is known as “skewing the tracks” which allows themobile crushing station 19 to move, to maneuver and to steer.

In the preferred embodiment, a hydraulic steering ram (not shown) havingone end portion pivotally interconnected to the car body type dualcrawler track assembly 51, 52, and an opposing second end portionpivotally interconnected to the outrigger assembly 25, 35 pivot the carbody type dual crawler track assemblies 51, 52 about the kingpins (notshown) responsive to inflow and outflow of pressurized fluid. In asecond possible embodiment a known bull-wheel gear assembly may be usedto pivot the car body type dual crawler track assemblies 51, 52 relativeto the outriggers 28, 38.

The car body type dual crawler track assemblies 51, 52 support themajority of the weight of the mobile crushing station 19 and the spacingarray between the dual crawler track assemblies 51, 52 and the first andsecond fixed crawlers 47, 48 forms a somewhat tricycle-like stature withplural spacedly arrayed ground engaging supports that enhance stabilityand distribute weight over a large area allowing smaller crawler trackassemblies to be utilized, which further reduces overall height of themobile crushing station 19.

In the preferred embodiment the mobile crushing station 19 is supportedby and moves on four spacedly arrayed independently powered crawlerassemblies 47, 48, 51, 52 two of which are pivotal on kingpin assemblies(not shown). However, it is envisioned that an alternative embodiment ofthe mobile crushing station 19 may also be supported by and move uponknown powered walking beam structures. It is also envisioned thatembodiments of the mobile crushing station 19 may be unpowered and movedfrom location to location on at least one un-powered crawler trackassembly by being towed and/or pushed by earth moving equipment such asbulldozers.

Sizer 61, which may also known as a “rock crusher”, is carried by thechassis 20 adjacent the front frame member 23 between the first andsecond side members 21, 22. The sizer 61 has a forward edge portion 63,a spaced apart rearward edge portion 64, a first side portion 65, and anopposing spaced apart second side portion 66 all interconnected atadjoining edge portions forming a rectilinear frame 62. The frame 62defines an open top feed orifice 67 and an open bottom discharge orifice68 and carries two parallel spacedly adjacent rock crushing drums 70that rotate on drum axles (not shown) supported by opposing portions ofthe frame 62. Each rock crushing drum 70 carries on its circumferentialsurface a plurality of radially extending rock crushing teeth thatintermesh with the rock crushing teeth carried by the adjacent rockcrushing drum 70. Known drive motors (not shown) and gear assemblies(not shown) rotate the rock crushing drums 70 to comminute excavatedmaterial deposited therein.

In a preferred embodiment of the sizer 61 included in the mobilecrushing station 19, the rock crushing drums 70 rotate in oppositedirections so the adjacent circumferential surfaces move downwardly andthe rock crushing teeth are arranged on the rock crushing drums 70 in ahelical pattern so that material moves to one end portion of the frame62. Excavated material deposited into the sizer feed orifice 67 by apronplate feed conveyor 55 is comminuted by tumbling, by rock-upon-rockimpact and by shearing forces generated by the rock crushing drums 70and the rock crushing teeth impacting the material. Amperage loadsensors (not shown) are operatively interconnected to the drive motorsand are configured to sense when the drive motors are being overloadedand responsively slow the rate at which material is fed into sizer 61 byreducing speed of the apron plate feed conveyor 55.

Feed hopper 71 proximate above and communicating with the sizer 61functions as a funnel for material deposited therein by the apron platefeed conveyor 55. As shown in FIG. 4, grizzly 73, which is more formallyknown as a top size control aperture, which is a bar grating structurecomprised of a plurality of spaced apart parallel bars that allow only acertain size of material to pass therethrough and therebetween, iscarried within the feed hopper 71 spacedly above the open top feedorifice 67 and prevents rocks, boulders, pieces of excavated material,and the like, that are too large to be comminuted from entering thesizer 61.

As shown in FIG. 11, apron plate feed conveyor 55 carried by the chassis20 between the first and second side members 23, 24 respectively, has afirst end portion 56, an opposing second end portion 57 and carries anendless belt 69 that moves circuitously thereabout on a plurality ofknown rollers, guides and the like. Second end portion 57 of the apronplate feed conveyor 55 is proximate vertically extending rear wall 115that prevents material from falling off the rearward end portion 20 ofthe chassis. First end portion 56 of the apron plate feed conveyor 55communicates with feed hopper 71 and is positioned above the grizzly 73.Endless belt 69 is of known construction and is preferably comprised ofa plurality of durable interconnected belt links and is powered by feedconveyor motor 59. First end portion 56 of apron plate feed conveyor 55is vertically higher than second end portion 57 so that the center ofgravity of the mobile crushing station 19 may be kept low and therequired lift height of the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 is minimized.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, diverter gate 76 is an elongate rectilineargrate-like structure positioned spacedly adjacent above the apron platefeeder 55 that is movable about a pair of spaced apart horizontallyaligned pivot axles 114 to regulate the rate at which excavated materialwithin a pivoting truck skip 80, 110 moves onto the apron plate feedconveyor 55 and also to prevent material from spilling from one pivotingtruck skip 80, 110 into the opposing pivoting truck skip 80, 110 whenone of the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 is pivoted upwardly. Divertergate pivot beam 111 has a lower end portion structurally interconnectedto the chassis 20 proximate the rear frame member 24 and extendsvertically upwardly therefrom. Diverter gate pivot frame 112 is carriedby the chassis 20 between the first and second side members 21, 22respectively proximate forward end portion of the diverter gate 76. Thediverter gate 76 swings, relative to the pivot beam 111, the pivot frame112 and apron plate feed conveyor 55 on two horizontally aligned pivotaxles 114 carried at opposing end portions of the diverter gate 76opposite the apron plate feed conveyor 55. The pivot axles 114 rotatablycommunicate with upper end portions of the pivot beam 111 and pivotframe 112 allowing the elongate edge portion of the diverter gate 76,proximate to the apron plate feeder 55, to swing in an arc. (FIG. 10).Known hydraulic cylinders 113 swing the diverter gate 76 between a firstposition proximate the second frame side member 22 which preventsmaterial from spilling into the first pivoting truck skip 80, a secondposition medially between the first pivoting truck skip 80 and thesecond pivoting truck skip 110, and a third position proximate the firstframe side member 21 which prevents material from spilling into thesecond pivoting truck skip 110. The position of the diverter gate 76 iscontrolled by an operator (not shown) to regulate the rate at whichexcavated material moves from the pivoting truck skip 80, 110 onto theapron plate feed conveyor 55.

In an alternative embodiment of the mobile crushing station, thediverter gate 76 may be replaced by an arcuate screen that defines aplurality of spacedly arrayed orifices and extends over the apron platefeed conveyor 55 between the opposing pivoting truck skips 80, 110extending from the first end portion 56 to the second end portion 57.The arcuate screen operates similar to a known grizzly and regulates thefeed rate of excavated material onto the apron plate feed conveyor 55.

One or more optional hydraulic rock breakers (not shown) can be carriedproximate the open top of the feed hopper 71 and may be employed whenthe grizzly 73 becomes blocked, such as by a rock or piece of materialthat is too big to pass between the spaced apart bars, or to break amaterial bridge that cannot be disrupted.

Best shown in FIG. 5, a discharge conveyor 140 that has an endlessconveyor belt 144 thereon, is carried at the forward end portion 20 a ofthe chassis 20 and extends partially thereunder so that second endportion 142 of the discharge conveyor 140 is spacedly below open bottomdischarge orifice 68 of the sizer 61 so that material comminuted withinsizer 61 exits the open bottom discharge orifice 68 and is deposited onthe second end portion 142 of the discharge conveyor 140. Endless belt144 transports the comminuted material from the second end portion 142to head-chute 143 which is the opposing end portion of the dischargeconveyor 140 for transfer to another transport mechanism 147 such asanother endless conveyor for transporting the comminuted material to adistal site, such as a storage pile, storage area, or other location.

First pivoting truck skip 80 is a “channel-like” structure having aplanar vehicle floor 83, a structurally attached forward lateral wall 81at a forward edge portion and a spaced apart structurally attachedrearward lateral wall 82 at a rearward edge portion. The forward andrearward lateral walls 81, 82 have a plurality of structurallyinterconnected panel sections that extend generally verticallyperpendicularly from the vehicle floor 83 and are configured so that theforward and rearward lateral walls 81, 82 flare outwardly to be morewidely spaced from one another distal from the chassis 20. The outwardflaring of the forward and rearward lateral walls 81, 82 makes backing adump truck 160 into a truck skip 80, 110 easier for an operator and alsofunctions as a “funnel of sorts” concentrating material deposited in thepivoting truck skip 80, 110 by a dump truck 160 into the apron platefeeder 55 proximate the diverter gate 76.

Ramp edge 84 of vehicle floor 84 is beveled, or may be bull-nosed, toease passage of dump truck wheels thereover when a dump truck 160 backsinto one of the pivoting truck skips 80, 110.

Hinged floor 86 is generally planar and is pivotally interconnected tohinge edge 85 of the vehicle floor 83 along adjacent edge portion byfloor hinge 87 which is preferably a large diameter pin hinge thatallows pivotal movement between the hinged floor 86 and the vehiclefloor 83. Opposing edge portion 89 of the hinged floor 86, opposite thevehicle floor 83, is pivotally interconnected to the first frame sidemember 21 proximate the apron plate feeder 55 by skip hinge 88 that ispreferably a large diameter pin hinge that allows pivotal movementbetween the hinged floor 86 and the first frame side member 21.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, hinged floor 86 b and the spaced apartpivotal parallel floor hinge 87 b and skip hinge 88 b allow the vehiclefloor 83 b to maintain a substantially horizontal orientation when thetruck skip 80, 110 is in its lowered position (FIG. 7) because thehinged floor 86 b is more angular thereto. When the pivoting truck skip80, 110 is pivoted upwardly, (FIG. 8) the vehicle floor 83 b and thehinged floor 86 b move to a more linear alignment so that excavatedmaterial deposited within the pivoting truck skip 80, 110 by a dumptruck 160, or otherwise, may slide along and across the vehicle floor 83b and hinged floor 86 b onto the apron plate feed conveyor 55. Lowerlaterally inner edge portions of the forward and rearward lateral walls81, 82 proximate the chassis 20 are configured with an angular edge 81a, 82 a to accommodate the steeper angulation of the hinged floor 86 toprevent material deposited in a skip 80, 110 from passing thereunder andtherebetween.

Bell crank 93, which is a double bell crank structure having twosubstantially identical spaced apart parallel portions, each having afirst inner end portion 93 a, an opposing second outer end portion 93 band a medial portion 93 c pivotally communicates between chassis 20 andpivoting truck skip 80, 110 and provides mechanical leverage to pivotthe pivoting truck skip 80, 110 upwardly. First inner end portion 93 aof forward bell crank 93 pivotally interconnects with chassis bell crankpivot 29, which is structurally interconnected with the chassis 20.Medial portion 93 c pivotally interconnects with one end portion ofhydraulic lifting cylinder 100 which also communicates at an opposingsecond end portion with forward skip lift cylinder bracket 101 carriedby angular tie beam 77 communicating between forward outrigger arm 26and proximate fixed crawler mounting assembly 50.

Second end portion 93 b of bell crank 93 pivotally carries lower endportion of elongate hoisting arm 94 which pivotally communicates, atopposing upper end portion, with hoist arm pivot 102 structurallycarried by the pivoting truck skip 80, 110 adjacent the forward andrearward lateral wall 81, 82. Expansion and contraction of the hydrauliclifting cylinder 100 rotates bell crank 93 relative to the chassis bellcrank pivot 29 and responsively raises the second end portion 93 b ofthe bell crank 93. The elongate hoisting arm 94, and its pivotalinterconnection with the hoist arm pivot 102 which is more proximate thefloor hinge 87 than the ramp edge 84, accentuates the motion of the bellcrank 93 and increases the amount throw provided by the hydrauliclifting cylinder 100 effectively raising the pivoting truck skip 80, 110to an elevated angular position whereat the vehicle floor 83 and hingedfloor 86 are more linearly aligned and material contained within thepivoting truck skip 80 slides, under the force of gravity, along andacross the vehicle floor 83, across the hinged floor 86 and onto theapron plate feeder 55. Each of the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 pivotsto an angle of between approximately 45° and 75° above horizontal, andpreferably pivots to an angle of 51° above horizontal. The angle ofpivot above horizontal is sufficient to overcome friction and cause theexcavated material on the vehicle floor 83 and the hinged floor 86 toslide, under the force of gravity, toward and onto the apron plate feedconveyor 55.

A similar lifting assembly comprising a similar pair of bell cranks 93,hydraulic lifting cylinder 100 and hoisting arm 94 is carried adjacentthe rearward end portion 20 b of the chassis 20 and the rearward lateralwall 82 so that two pairs of bell cranks 93, a pair of hydraulic liftingcylinders 100 and a pair of hoisting arms 92 operate in unison to liftthe pivoting truck skip 80, 110. First inner end portion 93 a of bellcranks 93 proximate the rearward end portion 20 b of the chassis 20pivotally interconnect with pivot axle 39 carried by proximate rearwardoutrigger arm 27, 37 spacedly adjacent the frame side member 21, 22.

Stability jack assembly 103 pivots relative to the supporting outriggerassembly 25, 35 and comprises a jack beam 104 parallel to and spacedapart from outrigger 28, 38 a forward jack beam leg 105, structurallyattached to forward end portion of jack beam 104 and a rearward jackbeam leg 106 structurally attached to rearward end portion of the jackbeam 104. Each jack beam leg 105, 106 pivotally interconnects with astability jack pivot bracket 107 structurally carried by the forwardoutrigger arm 26, 36 and the rearward outrigger arm 27, 37 opposite thechassis 20 so that the stability jack assembly 103 may be pivotedrelative to the supporting outrigger assembly 25, 35.

Stability jack hydraulic cylinders 108 each have a first end portioninterconnected with cylinder pivot flange 32, 42 at laterally outer endportion of outrigger arm 26, 36, 27, 37 and an opposing second endportion pivotally interconnected to jack beam cylinder yoke 109 spacedlyadjacent inward stability jack foot 91. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 thestability jack assembly 103 may be raised and lowered responsive toexpansion and contraction of the stability jack hydraulic cylinders 108resulting from inflow and outflow of pressurized fluid to the stabilityjack hydraulic cylinder 108. Lowering the stability jack assemblies 103so that the stability jack feet 91 rest upon the supporting groundsurface (FIG. 6) enhances stability of the mobile crushing station 19.Raising the stability jack assemblies 103 at the same time (FIG. 9)allows movement for repositioning and relocation and enhancesmaneuverability.

As shown in FIG. 6 bottom portion of the vehicle floor 83 proximate theramp edge 84 rests directly upon upper edge portion of the stabilityjack assembly 103 when the pivoting truck skip 80, 110 is in its loweredposition. Direct frictional engagement between bottom portion of thevehicle floor 83 and upper surfaces of the stability jack assembly 103provides additional support and strength for the pivoting vehicle skip80, 110 to carry the massive loads exerted thereon when a loaded dumptruck 160 backs into the pivoting truck skip 80, 110.

The second pivoting truck skip 110 is a minor image of the firstpivoting truck skip 80 and second stability jack assembly 103 b is amirror image of the first stability jack assembly 103. For purposes ofsimplicity and brevity the descriptions of the second pivoting truckskip 110 and second stability jack assembly 103 b have been eliminatedas they are the same as the description of the first pivoting truck skip80 and first stability jack assembly 103. The elements of the secondpivoting truck skip 110 and second stability jack assembly 103 b havebeen given, on the Figures, the same numbers as the elements of thefirst pivoting truck skip 80, and first stability jack assembly 103 buthave been given a “b” for identification.

Having described the structure of the mobile crushing station 19, itsoperation may be understood.

After an ore deposit has been identified as economically viable, earthmoving equipment is used to initiate the excavation which may involveremoving sufficient topsoil and overburden material so that an angulatedearthen ramp communicates from the surface level, down to a subsurfacelevel where the ore is accessible.

The mobile crushing station 19, and related conveyor equipment is likelyto be transported to the mine site in pieces and assembled on site. Itshould be understood that multiple mobile crushing stations 19 mayoperate in unison in the mining of a mineral/ore deposit.

As shown in FIG. 6 the mobile crushing station 19 is positionable in atrench 150 that has been dug into the supporting ground surface.Material excavated from digging the trench 150 is piled on both sides ofthe trench 150. The mobile crushing station 19 is driven, under its ownpower down an angulated ramp extending from the ground surface to thegenerally horizontal bottom portion of the trench 150 by operatoractuation of the crawler assemblies 47, 48, 51, 52. (FIG. 9). In analternative non-powered embodiment, the mobile crushing station 19 maybe pushed and/or pulled into the bottom portion of the trench 150 byearth moving equipment such as bulldozers and the like. In a thirdpossible embodiment the walking beam mechanism is activated and themobile crushing station 19 moves into the bottom portion of the trench150 under its own power.

Once positioned in the bottom of the trench 150, the stability jackassemblies 103, 103 b are lowered by actuating a hydraulic pump system(not shown) that causes the stability jack hydraulic cylinders 108 tolower the stability jack assemblies 103, 103 b until the stability jackfeet 91 rest upon the ground surface inside the trench 150 proximate toa lateral wall of the trench 150. The pivoting truck skips 80, 110 arethen pivoted downwardly by activating the hydraulic lifting cylinders100, 100 b which rotate the bell cranks 93 about bell crank pivots 29,39. When lowered, the bottom portions of the vehicle floors 83, 83 brest upon the upper portions of the stability jack beams 104, 104 b, andthe hinged floors 86, 86 b of the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 are moresteeply angled, relative to horizontal, than the vehicle floors 83, 83 bwhich allows the hinged floors 86, 86 b to act as “wheel stops” for therear wheels of dump trucks 160 backing into the pivoting truck skips 80,110.

Earth moving equipment, such as a bulldozer, is used to manipulate theexcavated trench material piled adjacent the trench 150 into short lowrise ramps 151 communicating from the supporting ground surface to theramp edge 84, 84 b of the vehicle floors 83, 83 b so that dump trucks160 and the like may back into the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 and overthe ramp edge portion 84, 84 b of the vehicle floors 83, 83 b with ease.Other access and exit roads may also be constructed as necessary forefficient dump truck 160 access to the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 andexit from the pivoting truck skips 80, 110.

Once positioned in the trench 150 and the stability jack assemblies 103,103 b have been lowered and the access ramps 151 constructed, a dumptruck 160, or two dump trucks 160 at the same time back into thepivoting truck skips 80, 110 onto and across the vehicle floor 83, 83 bbetween the forward and rearward lateral walls 81, 82, 81 b, 82 brespectively until the rear wheels of the dump truck 160 contact theupwardly angled hinged floor portion 86, 86 b. The dump truck 160deposits the material being carried in its load carrying bed onto thehinged floor 86, 86 b and proximate portion of the vehicle floor 83, 83b. The dump truck 160 may pull forwardly as the material is dumped fromthe load carrying bed so that the entire load of material is depositedwithin the pivoting truck skip 80, 110. The forward and rearward lateralwalls 81, 81 b, 82, 82 b retain the material on the vehicle floor 83, 83b and hinged floor 86, 86 b. The diverter gate 76 which is positionedspacedly adjacent above the apron plate feeder 55 prevents materialdeposited in one pivoting truck skip 80, 110 from falling into theopposing pivoting truck skip 80, 110.

Load cells (not shown) under the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 weigh thematerial deposited in the pivoting truck skips 80, 110 by the dumptrucks 160 and automatically compile data for recording productionlevels. The diverter gate 76, by preventing material from falling intothe opposing pivoting truck skip 80, 110 insures accuracy of productionmeasurements.

Operator (not shown) uses control system (not shown) to actuatehydraulic pumps (not shown) which communicate with the hydraulic liftingcylinders 100, 100 b by means of high pressure hoses and fittings (notshown). High pressure fluid entering the hydraulic lifting cylinders100, 100 b causes the hydraulic lift cylinders 100, 100 b to expand andresponsively pivot the bell cranks 93 and elongate hoisting arms 94, 94b causing the vehicle floor 83, 83 b and hinged floor 86, 86 b to pivotupwardly and simultaneously become more linearly aligned. The upwardpivoting of the truck skips 80, 110, the vehicle floor 83, 83 b andhinged floor 86, 86 b cause the material deposited in the pivoting truckskip 80, 110 to slide, under the force of gravity, along and across thefloors 83, 83 b, 86, 86 b and onto the apron plate feeder 55.

Material on the apron plate feeder 55 is transported from a positionproximate the upwardly pivoted truck skip 80, 110 and hinged floor 86,86 b to the feed hopper 71 and grizzly 73. Material falls off the firstforward end portion 56 of the apron plate feeder 55 and into the feedhopper 71. The material passes through the spaced apart bars of thegrizzly 73 and into the open top feed orifice 67 of the sizer 61. Thematerial passes into the sizer 61 and passes between the two slow speedopposing rock crushing drums 70 and crushing teeth carried thereon wherethe material is comminuted by crushing forces, rock upon rock impactsand tumbling, into smaller more uniformly sized pieces. The comminutedmaterial exits the sizer 61 through open bottom discharge orifice 68 andfalls onto the second end portion 142 of the discharge conveyor 140spacedly adjacent below the open bottom discharge orifice 68 of thesizer 61.

The material is transported along the endless belt 144 of the dischargeconveyor 140 to the head chute 143 where the material is passed toanother conveying mechanism 147 such as another conveyor system fortransport to a distal site.

The first pivoting truck skip 80 and the second pivoting truck skip 110may operate in unison or independently of one another. The diverter gate76 is positioned as desired by the operator between the first and secondpivoting truck skips 80, 110 above the apron plate feeder 55 to directmaterial from the pivoting truck skip 80, 110 onto the apron platefeeder 55. When both pivoting truck skips 80, 110 are being pivotedupward to empty material therein simultaneously, the diverter gate 76 ispreferably be positioned medially between the pivoting truck skips 80,110 so that material from both upwardly pivoted truck skips 80, 110 canaccess the apron plate feeder 55 simultaneously. When the pivoting truckskips 80, 110 are being operated one at a time, the operator willposition the diverter gate 76 as desired to ensure the material withinthe pivoting truck skips 80, 110 is directed onto the apron plate feeder55. (FIG. 10).

As the excavation continues, the mine face advances forwardly. Over timethe distance between the mine face and the mobile crushing station 19increases so that the dump trucks 160 must traverse too great a distancebetween the mine face, and the mobile crushing station to be economical.At such time it is necessary to reposition the mobile crushing station19 by digging a new trench more proximate the mine face, pivoting thepivoting truck skips 80, 110 upwardly, lifting the stability jackassemblies 103, 103 b upwardly and driving the mobile crushing station19 to be positioned in the new trench, whereupon the jacks and skips arerepositioned and the receipt of material and crushing of that materialis recommenced. In providing embodiments of our mobile crushingstations, it may be:

It should be appreciated that the mobile crushing station 19 isrepositionable under its own power and may be easily and costeffectively repositioned proximate a mine face as the mine face advanceswith excavation. Preferably, the mobile crushing station 19 is sized andconfigured to be positioned for operation in a shallow trench relativeto trenches required for prior art mobile crushing stations. Therefore,the mobile crushing station 19 can increase the efficiency of miningoperations and be relatively inexpensive to relocate. Preferably, themobile crushing station 19 does not require disassembly to relocate,which also reduces the expense of relocating the mobile crushing stationand also increases the efficiency of a mining operation.

The mobile crushing station 19 can include a plurality of spacedlyarrayed crawler track assemblies for mobility, maneuverability,stability and weight distribution. The mobile crushing station 19 ispreferably sized and configured to have its weight dispersed tofacilitate the use of smaller car body type crawler track assemblies.

The mobile crushing station 19 can be sized and configured to use twospaced apart opposing low rise earthen ramps for vehicle access to thetruck skips. The truck skips may be pivotable or rotatable. Eachpivoting truck skip can be independently operable.

The mobile crushing station 19 can also have two pivoting truck skips onopposing sides providing two dump locations for material carryingvehicles, such as dump trucks or other material carrying or materialtransporting devices. The mobile crushing station 19 can include truckskips with hinged floors. A portion of the hinged floor can act as aback up stop for the rear wheels of an earth moving vehicle. The hingedskip floors can be configured to become more linearly aligned as theskips are pivoted upwardly.

The mobile crushing station 19 may be configured to significantly reducethe lift height of each pivoting truck skip. The frame of the mobilecrushing station may be configured to lower the center of gravity and bedesigned to minimize the mass and size of components to help keep thecost of the station as low as possible without detracting from thereliability or effectiveness of the apparatus.

The mobile crushing station 19 can include spacedly arrayed pivotingoutboard stability jacks. The stability jacks can help support the skipswhen the skips are in a bottom position to receive material frommaterial carrying vehicles.

The mobile crushing station 19 may have a diverter gate between thepivoting truck skips to regulate material flow onto the apron platefeeder. The diverter gate is preferably positioned within the feedhopper. The diverter gate may be configured to move to adjust the flowof material being received from a truck skip.

The mobile crushing station 19 can include amperage filters on rockcrusher motors that detect overloading and automatically slow the apronplate feeder to prevent overloading and providing uninterrupted maximumthroughput.

The mobile crushing station 19 can also have a discharge conveyor. Themobile crushing station 19 can also include belt scales that weighcomminuted material for recording production. The belt scales may bepositioned on the discharge conveyor or may be connected to thedischarge conveyor.

A second present preferred embodiment of a mobile crushing station 201is shown in FIGS. 12-17. The mobile crushing station 201 includes abase, or frame 205. The frame is attached to jacks 202. The frame 205 isconfigured to support or interconnect different elements of the mobilecrushing station 201, such as first skip 247, second skip 245, feedconveyor 261, operator station 251, hopper 275, crushing device 231,discharge conveyor 213, and storage area 281. The mobile crushingstation 201 is preferably sized and configured such that the mobilecrushing station 201 is positionable and operational without the need ofany excavation of any trench or retaining walls.

The operator station 251 is positioned above the skips and feed conveyorto allow an operator to monitor the activities of the mobile crushingstation. The operator station 251 includes various interfaces andactuators that permit the operator to control operations of the mobilecrushing station by pressing buttons, entering codes onto a keypad orkeyboard, or otherwise providing input to a controller, computer orother device configured to control or actuate a device or component ofthe mobile crushing station. The operator station 251 may also includetelecommunications equipment or signaling equipment for communicating toother workers, other vehicles or personnel located at numerous differentlocations.

The skips 247 and 245 are positioned on opposite sides of a feed hopper275. Preferably, the first skip 247 and the second skip 245 are eachsized and configured to receive four hundred tons of material. Ofcourse, each skip may be sized and configured to receive less or morematerial, as may be desired to meet a particular mining operation'spreferences or requirements.

The hopper 275 is sized and configured to receive material from thefirst skip 247 or second skip 245 and guide that material onto a feedconveyor 261, or apron conveyor. The feed conveyor 261 is inclined tomove material dumped into the hopper 275 towards the crushing device231, which may be, for example, a sizer, a crusher, or at least onecrushing circuit.

The first skip 247 is attached to a first skip lifting assembly 232,which includes a first member 234 and a second member 235 positioned onopposite sides of the first skip 247. It should be understood that themembers may be integral metal beams, metal bunions, metal supports, ormay be formed by interconnected beams, supports or trunions. Preferably,the members 234, 235 are composed of steel. The first skip liftingassembly 232 is configured to pivot about member pivots 250 formed onthe frame 205 to move the first skip 247 from a first position to asecond position. For example, the first skip lifting assembly 232 may beconfigured to move the first skip 247 from a bottom position to a raisedposition, or dumping position, as may be appreciated from FIGS. 15 and16.

Each member 234, 235 of the first skip lifting assembly 232 is attachedto a lifting mechanism such as cylinder 240. Cylinder 204 may be, foreexample a hydraulic cylinder or gas cylinder. Each cylinder 240 ispivotally coupled to a portion of the frame 205 and is also attached toa portion of a respective member. Each cylinder 240 is configured tomove from a retracted position to an extended position to move themembers and the first skip 247. Preferably, the pressure for thehydraulic lines of the cylinders 240 is 5,000 pounds per square inch(psi) for skips that are configured to receive, lift and dump fourhundred ton of material. The cylinders 240 are pivoted to the frame atpivotal attachments 241 so the cylinders 240 may pivot as they move froma retracted position to an extended position to move the first skip 247.Of course, the cylinders may also move from an extended position to aretracted position to move the members and lower the first skip from araised position to a lower position.

While in the bottom position, the first skip 247 may be positioned toreceive material from an excavation vehicle or dump truck, as may beappreciated from FIGS. 12-14 or FIG. 17. The first skip 247 may then bemoved to the dumping position, or second position, as may be seen inFIGS. 15 and 16, to move the excavated material from the skip to thefeed hopper 275 and, ultimately, onto the feed conveyor 261 for feedingthe material into the crushing device 231.

The first skip 247 may be configured have a bucket-like portion thatincludes a backstop 248 that is sized and configured to receive asubstantial portion of material dumped onto the skip. The bucket-likeportion may be sized and configured to hold or retain the material whenthe skip is moved to ensure the material is properly guided into thefeed hopper 275 when the material is dumped into the hopper 275.

The second skip 245 is attached to a second skip lifting assembly 233,which includes a first member 236 and a second member 237 positioned onopposite sides of the second skip 245. As with the members of the firstskip lifting assembly 232, the members of the second skip liftingassembly 233 may be integral metal beams, metal trunions, metalsupports, or may be formed by interconnected beams, supports ortrunions. Preferably, the members 236, 237 are composed of steel. Thesecond skip lifting assembly 233 is configured to pivot about memberpivots 250 formed on the frame 205 to move the second skip 245 from afirst position to a second position. For example, the second skiplifting assembly 233 may be configured to move such that the second skip245 is moveable from a bottom position to a raised position, or dumpingposition.

Each member 236, 237 of the second skip lifting assembly 233 is attachedto a lifting mechanism, such as cylinder 240. Cylinders 240 may behydraulic cylinders or gas cylinders. Each cylinder 240 is pivotallycoupled to a portion of the frame 205 and is also attached to a portionof a respective member. Each cylinder 240 is configured to move from aretracted position to an extended position to move the members and thesecond skip 245. Preferably, the pressure for the hydraulic lines of thecylinders 240 is 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) for skips that areconfigured to receive, lift and dump four hundred ton of material. Thecylinders 240 are pivoted to the frame at pivotal attachments 241 so thecylinders 240 may pivot as they move from a retracted position to anextended position to move the second skip 245. Of course, the cylindersmay also move from an extended position to a retracted position to movethe members and lower the second skip from a raised position to a lowerposition.

While in the bottom position, the second skip 245 may be positioned toreceive material from an excavation vehicle or dump truck, as may beappreciated from FIGS. 12-14 or FIG. 17. The second skip 245 may then bemoved to the dumping position to move the excavated material from theskip to the feed hopper 275 and, ultimately, onto the feed conveyor 261for feeding the material into the crushing device 231.

Similarly to the first skip 247, the second skip 245 may be configuredhave a bucket-like portion that includes a backstop 248 that is sizedand configured to receive a substantial portion of material dumped ontothe skip. The bucket-like portion may be sized and configured to hold orretain the material when the skip is moved to ensure the material isproperly guided into the feed hopper 275 when the material is dumpedinto the hopper 275.

Preferably, the first and second skips are configured such that anoperator must manually actuate the movement of the skips from a bottomposition, or material receiving position, to a dumping position. Suchactuation may occur from an operator in the operator station 251manipulating an actuator, such as a button or key pad, to actuatemovement of the cylinders 240 to lift a skip after material has beendumped onto the skip.

A controller may be coupled between the actuator and the cylinders tocontrol the movement of the cylinders. For instance, after receivinginput from the operator via a button or other input device, thecontroller may be configured to cause a skip to move to the dumpingposition and stay in that position for a predetermined period of time.After that time period ends, the controller may then cause the cylindersto lower the skip back to the bottom position to receive more material.Alternatively, the controller may be configured to hold the skip in thedumping position until receiving input from the operator, such as asignal that may be sent to the controller by an operator pressing abutton or entering a code. After receiving this new input, thecontroller may then lower the skip to the bottom position.

Preferably, the mobile crushing station is configured such that only oneskip may be raised to the dumping position at a time to dump materialinto the hopper 275. Such a limit on the movement of skips loaded withmaterial is preferred as a safety precaution. Moreover, such a limit mayhelp prevent frame imbalance, which could lead to tipping of the frameor frame deformation. Such factors are particularly true of skips designto retain and dump hundreds of tons of material at a time.

Inclinometers, or clinometers, may be attached to portions of the frameor other portions of the mobile crushing station. The inclinometers arepreferably positioned at four corners of the frame of the mobilecrushing station. The inclinometers may be considered tilt meters ortilt indicators and are preferably configured to measure the tilt,slope, or angle of a portion of the frame 205. The inclinometers may becoupled to a controller configured to determine whether the measurementsprovided by the inclinometers indicate that the frame needs maintenanceor improperly positioned such that the frame is not sufficientlybalanced. The controller may also be configured to determine rackingbased on the information sensed by the inclinometers. It should beunderstood that the racking of the frame may result from the significantstress or strain the frame may undergo during operations. One presentpreferred method of determining whether a predefined racking conditionexists is shown in FIG. 20.

Sensors are also attached to the frame or other components to measurethe bed depth of the feed conveyor 261. The bed depth is monitored toensure that material is preferably always positioned on the feedconveyor to minimize wear. The sensors may be coupled to a controllerconfigured to receive input from the sensors and determine when aportion of the feed conveyor is not at a predetermined sufficient beddepth. After making such a determination, the controller may beconfigured to issue an alert to a display device or other signalingdevice to signal to an operator that the bed depth is not at asufficient level. A present preferred method of monitoring bed depth maybe appreciated from FIG. 19.

Sensors may also be attached adjacent to the feed opening of thecrushing device that is sized and positioned to receive material fromthe feed conveyor 261. The sensors may be positioned on the housingadjacent to the feed opening or may be positioned on a crushingmechanism of the crushing device positioned between the feed opening andthe discharge opening. The sensors may be configured to sense how muchmaterial is passing through the crushing device 231. A controller may becoupled to the sensors and be configured to determine when material isbecoming trapped in the opening of the crushing device, or choked. Afterdetermining that a choking condition exists or that a predetermined lowfeed rate exists that suggests a choking condition exists or is about toexist, the controller may be configured to cause the feed conveyor tomove away from the feed opening of the crushing device 231 andsubsequently move back toward the opening. Such a sequence of movementsmay occur a predetermined number of times in an attempt to jostlematerial and alleviate the choking condition that was detected. After apredetermined number of back and forth movements of the feed conveyor,the controller may then be configured to proceed with normal operatingconditions. A present preferred method of resolving choking conditionsmay be appreciated from FIG. 22.

The controller may also be configured to issue an alert to an operatorin the operator station 251 upon detecting a choke condition. Thecontroller may be configured to take no further action until receivinginput from the operator via an input device, such as a key pad entry orbutton actuation.

The controller may also be configured to activate and deactivate thefeed conveyor to help limit choking condition. Sensors attached to thecrushing device that are also coupled to the controller may measurematerial being fed into the crushing device and may also be positionedto sense material exiting the crushing device via a discharge orifice.The controller may be configured to determine when to actuate the feedconveyor for feeding material to the crushing device based on apredetermined feed rate or to ensure material is being fed to thecrushing device within preset feed rate limits.

The mobile crushing station 201 can include amperage filters or othersensors on rock crusher motors or other components of the crushingmechanisms of the crushing device 231. The sensors may be configured todetect overloading. When overloading is detected, a controller coupledto the sensor may be configured to slow the feed conveyor to preventoverloading and provide uninterrupted maximum throughput. A presentpreferred method of determining whether the feed rate needs to be slowedas a result of a slowed crushing rate that may be measured by suchamperage filters or other sensors may be appreciated from FIG. 21.

A present preferred method of monitoring feed rates to the crushingdevice 231 may be appreciated from FIG. 18.

The jacks 202 may be configured to move from a first position to asecond position. For instance, the jacks may move from a retractedposition to an extended position, as may be appreciated from FIG. 17.Jacks 202 may be moved to the extended position to raise the height ofthe frame and provide spacing between the frame and the ground such thata lifting mechanism may be positioned under the frame 205 to lift theframe to move the frame.

The second present preferred embodiment of the mobile crushing station201 may also include a moveable diverter gate connected to the feedhopper 271. The moveable gate may be tiltable to divert or guidematerial through the hopper and onto the feed conveyor.

It should be appreciated that the crushing device 231 may include agrizzly. The grizzly may be positioned adjacent to the feed opening ofthe crushing device 231 and may be sized and configured to control thesize of material fed into the crushing device 231.

The feed hopper 271 may include a release mechanism that is sized andconfigured to move from a first position to a closed position. When therelease mechanism is in the first position, the feed hopper 271 may beconfigured to retain material fed into the hopper. When the releasemechanism is moved to the second position, the material retained withinthe hopper may pass through the hopper and onto the feed conveyor. Therelease mechanism of the hopper 271 may be coupled to a controller. Thecontroller may be configured to actuate movement of the releasemechanism upon receiving input from an actuation device or input device,such as a button or key pad connected to the controller.

Alternatively, the controller may be configured to receive input fromone or more sensors and determined when a predetermined releasecondition occurs. After determining that a release condition occurs, thecontroller may send a signal to the release mechanism of the hopper tocause the release mechanism to move to the second position so thatmaterial is fed onto the feed conveyor.

The mobile crushing station 201 may be connected to a generator, powergrid, or other power supply. The power supply may be distal from themobile crushing station. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a motor,engine or powering device may be coupled to the frame and configured totransmit power to the mobile crushing station.

Of course, other variations to the mobile crushing station 201 may bemade. For instance, the skip lifting assemblies may be configured toinclude interconnected articulated members that all move synchronouslywhen lifting a skip from a bottom position to a dumping position. Asanother example, tracks may be connected to the frame. One or more ofthe tracks may be pivotally connected to the frame. As yet anotherexample, the mobile crushing station 201 may include one or morecontrollers or a plurality of interconnected controllers that arecoupled to sensors, input devices and communication devices. Thecommunication devices may be display assemblies such as monitors or maybe speakers or loudspeakers. Each controller may be configured tomonitor or control a particular function. Alternatively, one or morecontrollers may be configured to monitor or control multiple functions.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the mobile crushing station201 may be positioned relatively close to a mining or other excavationproject. As material is excavated, vehicles or other devices maytransport the excavated material to the skips of the mobile crushingstation. After a skip is considered to be fully loaded with material,the skip is moved to a dumping position to feed the material into thehopper. Movement of the skip is preferably actuated by an operator inthe operator station of the mobile crushing station. The material fedinto the hopper is subsequently fed onto the feed conveyor for feedingto the crushing device. After the material is crushed by the crushingdevice, the discharge conveyor transports the crushed material toanother location. That location may be another conveyor or may be atransport vehicle or other material transport device.

Preferably, the mobile crushing station is configured for use onrelatively flat ground, which does not need to be excavated to form atrench. Of course, other embodiments of the mobile crushing station maybe sized and configured for use and positioning on a substantially flatarea, which may require little or no trenching or other work to form ormay be configured for use and positioning within very shallow trenchesthat require relatively little excavation work.

After excavation has proceeded sufficiently for the distance between themobile crushing station and the excavation work to require aninefficient amount of time for transporting material to the mobilecrushing station, the mobile crushing station may be relocated orrepositioned closer to the excavation activities. Since significantlyless preparation work, if any preparation work, is required to preparethe new location for the mobile crushing station, the repositioning ofthe mobile crushing station can be much more efficient than prior artmobile crushing stations and require significantly less costs to beincurred by a mining or excavation operator.

While certain present preferred embodiments of mobile crushing stationsand methods of making and using the same have been shown and describedabove, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A mobile crushing station comprising: a frame; at least one skip, theat least one skip comprising a first skip; at least one skip liftingassembly moveably connected to the frame, the at least one skip liftingassembly comprising a first skip lifting assembly connected to the firstskip, the first skip lifting assembly configured to move relative to theframe to move the first skip from a first position to a second position;the first skip sized and configured to receive material, the first skiphaving a body that defines a floor and a plurality of sidewalls adjacentto the floor, a first portion of the sidewalls and a first portion ofthe floor defining a material receiving portion of the first skip thatis sized and configured to receive material and retain material untilthe first skip is moved to the second position, the floor of the firstskip also having a second portion that at least partially defines atleast one truck stop, the second portion of the floor also being sizedand configured to support wheels of a dump truck when the first skip isin the first position such that material is dumpable into the materialreceiving portion of the first skip by the dump truck while the dumptruck is positioned adjacent to the at least one truck stop of the firstskip; a plurality of first cylinders moveably connected to the frame andconnected to the first skip lifting assembly, each first cylinderconfigured to move from a retracted position to an extended position sothat movement of the first cylinders to the extended position moves thefirst skip lifting assembly such that the first skip moves to the secondposition; a hopper connected to the frame adjacent to the first skip,the hopper having an upper opening sized and configured to receivematerial from the first skip; a feed conveyor connected to the frameadjacent to the hopper, the feed conveyor sized and configured toreceive material from the hopper, the feed conveyor being moveable in afirst direction to transport material in the first direction; a crushingdevice connected to the frame adjacent to the feed conveyor, thecrushing device having a housing, the housing of the crushing devicehaving at least one feed opening sized and configured to receivematerial from the feed conveyor and at least one discharge opening sizedand configured to permit material to pass through the at least onedischarge opening, the crushing device having at least one crushingmechanism attached to the housing between the at least one feed openingand the at least one discharge opening such that material passingthrough the at least one feed opening is crushed by the crushingmechanism before the material passes through the at least one dischargeopening; and a discharge conveyor connected to the frame adjacent to thecrushing device, a portion of the discharge conveyor being below thecrushing device to receive material from the at least one dischargeopening of the crushing device.
 2. The mobile crushing station of claim1 wherein the at least one skip further comprising a second skip; andthe at least one skip lifting assembly further comprising a second skiplifting assembly moveably connected to the frame and connected to thesecond skip; the second skip lifting assembly configured to moverelative to the frame to move the second skip from a first position to asecond position, the second skip sized and configured to receivematerial, the second skip being comprised of a body that defines a floorand a plurality of sidewalls adjacent to the floor, a first portion ofthe sidewalls and a first portion of the floor defining a materialreceiving portion of the second skip that is sized and configured toreceive material and retain material until the second skip is moved tothe second position, the floor of the second skip also having a secondportion that at least partially defines at least one truck stop, thesecond portion of the floor also being sized and configured to supportwheels of a dump truck when the second skip is in the first positionsuch that material is dumpable into the material receiving portion ofthe second skip by the dump truck while the dump truck is positionedadjacent to the at least one truck stop of the second skip; and aplurality of second cylinders moveably connected to the frame andconnected to the second skip lifting assembly, each second cylinderconfigured to move from a retracted position to an extended positionsuch that movement of the second cylinders to the extended positionmoves the second skip lifting assembly so that the second skip moves tothe second position.
 3. The mobile crushing station of claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of tracks or crawlers connected to the frame. 4.The mobile crushing station of claim 1 further comprising an operatorstation connected to the frame such that the operator station ispositioned above the first skip and the second skip when the first andsecond skips are in the first position.
 5. The mobile crushing stationof claim 1 wherein the crushing device is also comprised of at least onegrizzly positioned adjacent to the at least one feed opening.
 6. Themobile crushing station of claim 21 wherein the first skip has a firstside and a second side opposite the first side and the first skiplifting assembly is comprised of a first member and a second member, thefirst member of the first skip lifting assembly having a first endpivoted to the frame and a second end that is attached to a portion ofthe first skip adjacent to the first side of the first skip, the secondmember of the first skip lifting assembly having a first end pivoted tothe frame and a second end that is attached to a portion of the firstskip adjacent to the second side of the first skip; and wherein thesecond skip has a first side and a second side opposite the first sideand the second skip lifting assembly is comprised of a first member anda second member, the first member of the second skip lifting assemblyhaving a first end pivoted to the frame and a second end that isattached to a portion of the second skip adjacent to the first side ofthe second skip, the second member of the second skip lifting assemblyhaving a first end pivoted to the frame and a second end that isattached to a portion of the second skip adjacent to the second side ofthe second skip.
 7. The mobile crushing station of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one controller coupled to at least one input deviceand of the first cylinders, the at least one controller configured toactuate movement of at least one of the first cylinders after receivinglifting input from the input device.
 8. The mobile crushing station ofclaim 1 further comprising inclinometers connected to the frame, atleast one controller connected to the inclinometers, and at least onecommunication device connected to the at least one controller, the atleast one controller configured to determine whether the frame isundergoing a predefined amount of racking and, if the at least onecontroller determines that the frame is experiencing at least thepredefined amount of racking, the at least one controller is configuredto output an alert to the at least one communication device to notify anoperator.
 9. The mobile crushing station of claim 1 comprising at leastone sensor positioned adjacent to the at least one feed opening of thecrushing device, at least one controller coupled to the at least onesensor and the feed conveyor, the at least one sensor configured tomeasure a feed rate of material passing through the at least one feedopening, the at least one controller configured to determine whether thefeed rate of material is under a first predefined feed rate amount andto increase feed conveyor speed in the first direction when the feedrate is determined to be below the first predefined feed rate amount.10. The mobile crushing station of claim 9 wherein the at least onecontroller is also configured to determine whether the feed rate ofmaterial is over a second predefined feed rate amount and is configuredto decrease feed conveyor speed in the first direction when the feedrate is determined to be above the second predefined feed rate amount.11. (canceled)
 12. The mobile crushing station of claim 10 wherein thefeed conveyor is also moveable in a second direction that is oppositethe first direction and the at least one controller is configured todetermine whether a predefined choking condition exists based onmeasurements received from the at least one sensor, the at least onecontroller configured to cause the feed conveyor to move in the seconddirection for a predefined period of time when the predefined chokingcondition is determined to exist.
 13. The mobile crushing station ofclaim 1 further comprising a moveable grate connected to at least one ofthe frame and the hopper.
 14. The mobile crushing station of claim 1 aplurality of jacks connected to the frame, the jacks configured to movefrom a retracted position to an extended position.
 15. The mobilecrushing station of claim 1 wherein the mobile crushing station is sizedand configured to be moved from a first location to a second location bya transport mechanism, the transport mechanism sized and configured tolift and move the mobile crushing station, push the mobile crushingstation, or pull the mobile crushing station to the second location. 16.The mobile crushing station of claim 1 further comprising a plurality oftracks pivotally connected to the frame and wherein the frame is achassis.
 17. A mobile crushing station comprising: a frame; a firstskip; a first skip lifting assembly moveable connected to the frame andconnected to the first skip, the first skip lifting assembly configuredto move relative to the frame to move the first skip from a firstposition to a second position, the first skip sized and configured toreceive material; the first skip sized and configured to receivematerial, the first skip having a body that defines a floor and aplurality of sidewalls adjacent to the floor, a first portion of thesidewalls and a first portion of the floor defining a material receivingportion of the first skip that is sized and configured to receivematerial and retain material until the first skip is moved to the secondposition, the floor of the first skip also having a second portion thatat least partially defines at least one truck stop, the second portionof the floor also being sized and configured to support wheels of a dumptruck when the first skip is in the first position such that material isdumpable into the material receiving portion of the first skip by thedump truck while the dump truck is positioned adjacent to the at leastone truck stop of the first skip; a plurality of first liftingmechanisms moveably connected to the frame and connected to the firstskip lifting assembly, each first lifting mechanism configured to movefrom a first position to a second position so that movement of the firstlifting mechanisms to the second position moves the first skip liftingassembly such that the first skip moves to the second position of thefirst skip; a hopper connected to the frame adjacent to the first skipand the second skip, the hopper having an upper opening sized andconfigured to receive material from the first skip; a feed conveyorconnected to the frame adjacent to the hopper, the feed conveyor sizedand configured to receive material from the hopper, the feed conveyorbeing moveable in a first direction to transport material in the firstdirection; a crushing device connected to the frame adjacent to the feedconveyor, the crushing device having a housing, the housing of thecrushing device having at least one feed opening sized and configured toreceive material from the feed conveyor and at least one dischargeopening sized and configured to permit material to pass through the atleast one discharge opening, the crushing device having at least onecrushing mechanism attached to the housing between the at least one feedopening and the at least one discharge opening such that materialpassing through the at least one feed opening is crushed by the crushingmechanism before the material passes through the at least one dischargeopening; and a discharge conveyor connected to the frame adjacent to thecrushing device, a portion of the discharge conveyor being positioned toreceive material from the at least one discharge opening of the crushingdevice.
 18. The mobile crushing station of claim 17 comprising at leastone sensor positioned adjacent to the at least one feed opening of thecrushing device, at least one controller coupled to the at least onesensor and the feed conveyor, the at least one sensor configured tomeasure a feed rate of material passing through the at least one feedopening, the at least one controller configured to determine whether thefeed rate of material is under a first predefined feed rate amount andto increase feed conveyor speed in the first direction when the feedrate is determined to be below the first predefined feed rate amount.19. The mobile crushing station of claim 18 wherein the at least onecontroller is also configured to determine whether the feed rate ofmaterial is under a second predefined feed rate amount and is configuredto decrease feed conveyor speed in the first direction when the feedrate is determined to be above the second predefined feed rate amount.20. (canceled)
 21. The mobile crushing station of claim 17 alsocomprising at least one sensor positioned adjacent to the hopper and atleast one controller coupled to the at least one sensor, and wherein thehopper is comprised of a hopper release mechanism, the hopper releasemechanism coupled to the at least one controller, the at least onesensor configured to measure a bed depth of material positioned on thefeed conveyor, the at least one controller configured to determine whenthe bed depth is below a predefined bed depth and is configured toactuate the hopper release mechanism after determining that the beddepth is below the predefined bed depth, actuation of the hopper releasemechanism permitting material stored in the hopper to pass through anopening of the hopper and onto the feed conveyor.
 22. The mobilecrushing station of claim 17 also comprising at least one sensorconnected to the at least one crushing mechanism and at least onecontroller coupled to the at least one sensor and to the feed conveyor,the at least one controller configured to determine when a predefinedslow crushing condition exists, the at least one controller configuredto reduce feed conveyor speed in the first direction if the predefinedslow crushing condition exists.